Concrete form structure



Jan. 22, 1963 Filed April 3, 1961 D. A. NYMAN CONCRETE FORM STRUCTURE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 I Mm:

INVENTOR. DONALD A. NYMAN ,wzh w ATTORN EY Jan. 22, 1963 D. A. NYMAN3,074,142

CONCRETE FORM STRUCTURE Filed Aprii 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lo I: l2 s24 22 INVENTOR. DONALD A. NYMAN ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice3,074,142 Patented Jan. 22, 1963 3,074,142 CONCRETE FORM STRUCTUREDonald A. Nyman, 38490 S. Jason St., Englewood, Colo. Filed Apr. 3,1961, Ser. No. 100,125 6 Claims. (Cl. 25-131) This invention relates toan improved arrangement of the knock-down type designed for use inconcrete form structure for construction of a poured concrete wall.Essentially the invention includes locking device means cooperatablewith a special tie Wire and the inner and outer wall sections whichpermits speedy and secure erection of concrete forms and at the sametime provides extreme flexibility, speed and ease in stripping.

As is well known, many concrete forms now in existence are made up of aplurality of vertical form sections of substantially rectangular shapeand pairs thereof that provide the inner and outer walls are disposed incoplanar relation with the edges in abutment and adapted to be securedtogether detachably to define joints between the abutting sections. Alocking device is utilized to so detachably connect and pairs of saidsections or panels are maintained in spaced coplanar relationship bymeans of tie wires that cooperate with the locking device of each pair,thus providing inner and outer walls of the form. This general type ofconstruction of concrete forms probably can be classified as being ofthe knockdown type and is exemplified by US. Patents 2,825,956 and2,898,659. Such prior art techniques have proved generally satisfactorybut the setting up and taking down or stripping of such construction issomewhat cumbersome and time consuming and of course this increases thecost of the end product, such as a concrete foundation.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved concreteform construction of the knock-down type which greatly simplifies theerection and stripping of concrete forms, thus reducing the costsubstantially.

it is also an object to provide for such erection and stripping ofconcrete forms by means that greatly reduces the time requirements, allwithout sacrificing the necessary results of a secure form.

Another object is to provide in a concrete form construction of the typementioned an improved locking device for cooperation with a special tiewire whereby the inner and outer Walls of the form are firmly braced inparallel spaced relation and the pairs of coplanar panel sections aresecurely but cletachably connected.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a form constructionmade up of a plurality of locking devices and tie wires cooperatingtherewith and the panel sections which are simple to manufacture andoperate and yet which provide the necessary strength to withstandextreme conditions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent byreferring to the accompanying drawing wherein the preferred embodimentis illustrated and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a concrete form structuremade in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation view of the locking structure exemplifiedin FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is .a view similar to that of FIGURE 3 showing the partsfollowing actuation of the locking device;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the tie wire utilized with thisinvention.

Referring to the drawing, the numerals 1 and 2 represent the outer andinner walls, respectively, of a concrete form structure made inaccordance with this invention, the walls being positioned andmaintained by means to be described in parallel spaced relation. Each ofthese walls, in accordance with standard practice, is made up of aplurality of sections, the height and width of each wall includingenough sections to approximate, for eX- ample, the depth of a basementwall which is to be made from poured concrete. The sections or panelsare disposed on each side of the form, a distance representing thebasement wall Width, in edge to edge abutting relationship and they areadapted to be secured together detachably in coplanar relationship todefine joints between the the abutting sections. The spaced and coplanarrelationship is accomplished by means of a plurality of tie wires T andlocking devices L which cooperate with the tie wires and the edges ofeach section S in making this securement. Each panel or section S ispreferably of plastic construction for lightness and cheapness andincludes, although this is by no means to be construed as limiting, apanel portion 6 having a reinforcing frame consisting of side edgemembers 7 and 8, top cross pieces 9 and a bot-, tom cross piece togetherwith intermediate cross pieces or braces (not shown), all forming anintegral part of a section S in accordance with known formingtechniques, the interiorly positioned face of each section against whichthe concrete is poured being substantially flat. The side edge members 7and S are more clearly shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 in their positionedabutting relationship to define joints therebetween with the side edge 3on each form section S disposed in side to side abutment with the sideedge 7 of the next adjacent form section. Thus the vertical jointsdefined by the side edge members 7 and 8 and for that matter allportions of each section are in abutting coplanar relationship. Eachside edge member 8 is notched out or milled vertically as at 11 toprovide a space to accommodate the end portion of the tie wire T andalthough not necessary, as shown, each edge member 7 is similarlynotched at it? to provide from the mating or registered notches acombined opening 12 considerably greater than the height of thepreferred tie wire T so there will be no problem in assembling the formconstruction of registering the tie wire in the combined opening 12.

Now as to the important aspects of this invention, it is clear fromreferring to FIGURES 1 and 2 that the form construction is assembled andmaintained in its desired position by a plurality of tie wires T andlocking devices L and since the operation and structure of each lockingdevice and tie wire is identical, only one will be described, therebeing two locking device that cooperate with each tie wire to maintainthe walls in proper spaced relation and the sections in proper coplanarrelation. First of all, each tie wire T consists of an eion gated bodyof a length to extend between and beyond the panels by passing throughopenings 12 and, as shown in FIGURE 6, at each end portion 15 there isprovided adjacent the extremities thereof a pair of vertically alignedoppositely directed grooves 16 and 3.7. Struck out from each tie wireare projecting digning prongs 13, the purpose of which will be describedhereinafter.

Each locking device L has a body portion 2% of substantial thickness andof substantial semi-circular shape. Viewing at FIGURES 3 and 4, thevertical side walls are substantially parallel with wall 21 forming theexterior wall and with a portion of the interior wall being adapted toiiushly engage a side edge 8. To securely but detachably engage eachlocking device L to edge 8, body portion it) is counterbored at 22 and23 at its upper and lower extremities respectively thereof as well asrecessed as at 24 to receive bolt means 25 extending from edge member 8and thus by standard means body portion 2% is attached to edge 8, itbeing noted that the head of means 25 is fiush with cut-out area 11 soas not to interfere with the space provided by opening 12. At theapproximate vertical center thereof, wall 21 is indented in the form ofa substantial V, the walls of the V being shown at 26 .and 27 and theapex of the V preferably extending the depth of body portion 29. Spacedat predetermined distances on each side of the V apex are pins 29 and 39which are integral with portion 20 and extend therefrom a substantialdistance. As shown in FIGURE 3, this distance is at least sufficient topass beyond the opening 12 and it will be noted that the pins 29 and 30are mounted on body portion so that they may be positioned outward ofthe edges 7 and 8 and further they are of a diameter approximatinggrooves 16 and 17 of the tie wire so they may be received therein atleast in part.

At its center, portion 20 has an opening therethrough at 32 wherebymeans in the form of a locking member may loosely extend therethrough,although it is prevented from being removed from the body portion 20 dueto its head 34 at one end which forms cam means and a hooked rightangled portion 36 at its other end which forms gripping means. The head34 has an inner face 28 that is V-shaped to substantially conform ormatch the V of face 21 and when the locking member 35 is located as inFIGURE 3, there is such matching and the gripping portion 36 is locatedat its most extreme distance from body portion 20. The body portion ofthe locking member is of a size to be received in one of the grooves 16or 17. This completes the description of the parts of each lockingdevice L, the critical portions thereof being the provision of anysuitably shaped body 2%, means to attach the latter so that at least onepin 29 or 3% may extend across an opening 12, the cam surface formed bywalls 26 and 27, the locking means 35 having cam means 34 forcooperating with the cam surface and gripping means 36 that isexemplified as detoured or bent with respect to the main part of lockingmember 35 and which may be retracted into locking engagement with asection S.

In operation, the sections S are positioned as shown in FIGURE 1 after adesired number of locking devices are secured to each edge 8 invertically spaced relation. The number of locking devices L on a givenedge varies with the height of walls 1 and 2 but they each must belocated on the edge 8 in the same vertical relation as on the edge ofthe next adjacent section and the pair of sectrons spaced directlyopposite as should be apparent. Next a tie wire T is positioned toextend between the spaced sections with the end portions 15 passingbeyond edges 7 and 8 and at this time the cam head 28 of each lockingdevice that cooperates with the wire is located with its V flush withthe V of edge 21 so that hooked portion 36 is spaced its maximumdistance from an edge 8 and also out of the way of the sections to bejoined, as illustrated by the locking devices shown at the left inFIGURE 1, The pin 29 and body 35 of each locking deice passes through orhas portions located in grooves 17 and 16, respectively. The panelsections to be joined are then positioned so edges 7 are coplanar withedges 5 and the struck out portions 18 insure this proper alignnrent asthe panel sections to be joined are located so that their inner facesare flush with and resting against portions 18. At this time the headsof each locking device L are manually rotated with cam means 28 ridingon the cam surface formed by the walls 26 and 27 and this results in thehooked portion or gripping means 36 being retracted into lockingengagement with edges 7, as shown, and insuring that the abuttingsections are tightly locked but yet readily detachable as should beapparent. The locking cooperation of the tie wires, both locking devicesand the four edges should be clear.

The other pin 30 of each locking device L is utilized for what might bereferred to as left hand operation when the locking devices are securedto edges 7 and portion 36 is to engage edge 8, and here again thisoperation in view of the foregoing should be clear. Although there mustbe cam action between the V of edge 21 and the head 34, it should beunderstood that the configuration of the cam and its engaged surface maybe altered within the spirit of this invention to vary the amount of camcontact.

The foregoing disclosure and description in the invention isillustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size,shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction, may be made within the scope of the appended claimswithout departing from the spirit of the invention. The objects of thisinvention are believed to be apparent by reference to the detaileddescription.

What is claimed is:

1. In a concrete form structure for construction of a poured concretewall including spaced parallel inner and outer walls, each made up of atleast a pair of vertical sections disposed in coplanar relation withtheir side edges in abutment and adapted to be secured togetherdetachably to define vertical joints between the abutting sections, thejoints in the outer wall being in coplanar relation with the joints inthe inner wall, and means for rigidly spacing said inner and outer wallscomprising tie Wires extending therebetween in right angled relationshipthereto and protruding through the joints between abutting sections ofboth walls, the outer extremities of each wire having at least onegroove therein, the combination therewith of a locking device forcooperation with each extremity of the wire for rigidly but detachablyconnectmg the abutting sections, each locking device comprising a bodyportion secured to one of the side edges of the abutting sections, a pinextending from the body portion receivable in the tie wire groove, saidbody having a cam surface and a locking member supported by said body,the locking member having cam means cooperating with the surface andgripping means, said gripping means upon actuation of the cam meanscooperating with the other side edge to bring the abutting sections intolocked relationship and maintain said pin within the groove, the lockingmember being loosely carried by said body portion, the cam means beingat one end thereof and the gripping means being at the other endthereof.

2. Structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the tie wire has at eachextremity a pair of grooves oppositely directed and a portion of thelocking member is received and maintained in the other groove.

3. Structure as defined in claim 2 wherein the body portion of thelocking device has one wall having a portion thereof contoured to formthe cam surface and the gripping means of the locking member comprises ahooked portion adapted to be retracted into locking engagernent.

4. Structure as defined in claim 3 wherein the cam means is a headforming an integral part of the locking member, said head having asurface for manual cooperation with the cam surface.

5. Structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each tie wire includesaligning means to insure proper positioning of the sections prior tolocking thereof. 5

6. Structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the locking member is locatedcentrally of the body portion and the body portion of the lockingdevices includes a pair of pins equally spaced from the center of thebody portion whereby the locking device may be secured 10 to either ofthe side edges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSLongley July 22, Poupitch May 29, Hyre Nov. 18, Shoemaker Jan. 12,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Feb. 9, Switzerland Nov. 14, Canada June21,

1. IN A CONCRETE FORM STRUCTURE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A POURED CONCRETEWALL INCLUDING SPACED PARALLEL INNER AND OUTER WALLS, EACH MADE UP OF ATLEAST A PAIR OF VERTICAL SECTIONS DISPOSED IN COPLANAR RELATION WITHTHEIR SIDE EDGES IN ABUTMENT AND ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TOGETHERDETACHABLY TO DEFINE VERTICAL JOINTS BETWEEN THE ABUTTING SECTIONS, THEJOINTS IN THE OUTER WALL BEING IN COPLANAR RELATION WITH THE JOINTS INTHE INNER WALL, AND MEANS FOR RIGIDLY SPACING SAID INNER AND OUTER WALLSCOMPRISING TIE WIRES EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN IN RIGHT ANGLED RELATIONSHIPTHERETO AND PROTRUDING THROUGH THE JOINTS BETWEEN ABUTTING SECTIONS OFBOTH WALLS, THE OUTER EXTREMITIES OF EACH WIRE HAVING AT LEAST ONEGROOVE THEREIN, THE COMBINATION THEREWITH OF A LOCKING DEVICE FORCOOPERATION WITH EACH EXTREMITY OF THE WIRE FOR RIGIDLY BUT DETACHABLYCONNECTING THE ABUTTING SECTIONS, EACH LOCKING DEVICE COMPRISING A BODYPORTION SECURED TO ONE OF THE SIDE EDGES OF THE ABUTTING SECTIONS, A PINEXTENDING FROM THE BODY PORTION RECEIVABLE IN THE TIE WIRE GROOVE, SAIDBODY HAVING A CAM SURFACE AND A LOCKING MEMBER SUPPORTED BY SAID BODY,